Method for rotating a toggle link upon an acceleration event greater than a predetermined threshold

Abstract

A method for rotating a toggle link upon an acceleration event greater than a predetermined threshold. The method including: biasing a toggle link against a stop when the acceleration event is less than the predetermined threshold, a position of the toggle link against the stop being on a first side of a singular position of the toggle link; biasing the toggle link towards an opposite direction from the stop when the toggle link is positioned on a second side of the singular position; and moving the toggle link from the first side of the singular position to the second side of the singular position when the base structure undergoes an acceleration event greater than a predetermined threshold.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for rotating a toggle link upon an acceleration event greater than a predetermined threshold, the method comprising:
 biasing a toggle link against a stop fixed to a base structure such that there is no relative movement between the stop and the base structure when the acceleration event is less than the predetermined threshold, a position of the toggle link against the stop being on a first side of a singular position of the toggle link; 
 biasing the toggle link towards an opposite direction from the stop when the toggle link is positioned on a second side of the singular position; 
 moving the toggle link from the first side of the singular position to the second side of the singular position when the base structure undergoes an acceleration event greater than a predetermined threshold; and 
 one of opening or closing an electrical circuit upon the toggle link being moved to the second side of the singular position; 
 wherein the moving comprises providing a movable mass disposed between the toggle link and the base structure, the movement of the mass moving the toggle link to the second side of the singular position when the base structure undergoes an acceleration event greater than a predetermined threshold. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the base structure and the toggle link positioned on the first side of the singular position are angled towards each other and the mass has a wedge shape having first and second sides complementary to angles of the base structure and the toggle link when positioned on the first side of the singular position. 
     
     
       3. A method for rotating a toggle link upon an acceleration event greater than a predetermined threshold, the method comprising:
 biasing a toggle link against a stop fixed to a base structure such that there is no relative movement between the stop and the base structure when the acceleration event is less than the predetermined threshold, a position of the toggle link against the stop being on a first side of a singular position of the toggle link; 
 biasing the toggle link towards an opposite direction from the stop when the toggle link is positioned on a second side of the singular position; 
 moving the toggle link from the first side of the singular position to the second side of the singular position when the base structure undergoes an acceleration event greater than a predetermined threshold; and 
 initiating a pyrotechnic element upon the toggle link being moved to the second side of the singular position; 
 wherein the moving comprises providing a movable mass disposed between the toggle link and the base structure, the movement of the mass moving the toggle link to the second side of the singular position when the base structure undergoes an acceleration event greater than a predetermined threshold.